Fashion

How To Apply Blush & Contour

Time to whisk out those brushes and palettes — class is back in session, and what's the subject this time around? How to apply blush and contour like a pro (thankfully, no textbooks or calculators required for this lesson). Even for beauty aficionados, tackling blush and contouring techniques can be intimidating. Mastering the cat eye or perfecting a matte lip is already one story, but applying blush and contouring for your face shape is a whole different epic.

Keri Blair, a Senior Makeup Artist for MAC Cosmetics, let us in on a couple tips: Believe it or not, the secret to the ultimate blush and contour is all in the application — execution matters, everyone. Before you pick up a brush and get too pigment-happy, study up on the basics. Where you place the blush and contouring powder matters, as does the formula, shade, and blending technique. I know this may sound tricky, but hey, practice makes perfect. Just think of it as art class, cosmetics edition. Masterpieces aren't born from the first sketch, after all.

If you're ready to put your makeup skills to the test, here are the tricks to blush and contouring 101. Soon enough, you'll be well on your way to crafting the rosy glow and chiseled cheeks of your dreams.